B17 Steam Locomotive Trust

Welcome to the B17 Trust Homepage

PROJECT AIMS

The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust is building an LNER Class B17 4-6-0 express passenger locomotive to be known as Spirit of Sandringham in compliance with Railway Group Standards for operation on the mainline network and heritage railways in this country. Improvements in performance, reliability and maintenance are planned by the careful introduction of design changes to the original technical baseline.

The project aims to capture an era of world class engineering and national pride of "built in Britain," to also provide opportunities for educational and skills training for people in apprenticeships and other schemes associated with engineering, science and manufacturing activities.

The engine will be capable of operating with either the GE tender or the larger LNER Group Standard tender normally used by B17s, both of which are owned by the trust. Appropriate certification will be progressively obtained in conjunction with the relevent Railway Authorities.

For other latest project news and a report on the March 2018 open meeting, please go toSee Our Latest News .

SUPPORTING THE PROJECT

Currently LNER class B12 and B1 locomotives are operational in preservation, but none of the B17s survived the cutter's torch. The B17 is the missing link between the two and is the only 4-6-0 locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley. Supporting The Project

RECREATE THE MAGIC!

Help fulfill the project aim to construct a new B17, to recreate again those exhilarating sights and sounds of a ‘Sandringham’ hard at work on the mainline at the head of its train and re-introduce something of our past heritage, for greater public benefit in years to come.